Sydney Opera House overlooking Sydney Harbour, representing international removals from the UK to Australia

International Removals UK to Australia

Moving to Australia? We’ve been helping people relocate from the UK with confidence since 1997. Our expert packing methods keep your belongings safer in transit, and our weekly sailings deliver shipments to Australia up to 14 weeks faster than other movers.

Get a free quote today or keep reading to learn about our services, costs, transit times, and Australia’s customs and biosecurity requirements.

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Removals to Australia with 1st Move

Planning a move from the UK to Australia? 1st Move International provides fast, secure, and fully insured removals from the UK to Australia, with weekly sailings to all major ports including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

Whether you’re relocating your entire household or shipping a few personal belongings, our door-to-door service makes your move to Australia simple, organised, and stress-free from start to finish.

Removals to Australia start from £840, with typical delivery times of 45–50 days, depending on shipment size and destination. Every shipment is expertly packed and palletised for maximum protection, then shipped on weekly consolidated services with the world’s leading carriers — so your belongings leave the UK sooner and arrive safely.

With over 25 years of experience, we’ve helped thousands of families, professionals, and expats relocate to Australia with confidence. From collection and export paperwork to customs clearance, quarantine, and final delivery, we handle every stage of your move with precision and care.

Get your free quote today and find out why 1st Move International is one of the UK’s most trusted names for international removals to Australia.

Why Choose 1st Move International for Your Move to Australia?

Here's why thousands of customers trust us with removals from the UK to Australia.

Faster shipping for removals to Australia

No delays. Faster weekly shipping.

Safer packing for removals to Australia

Unrivalled protection for your belongings

Smarter pricing for removals to Australia

Measured exactly for transparent pricing

Dedicated Move Manager Icon

End-to-end guidance from your move manager

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Support with customs, quarantine and delivery

What You Get With Our UK to Australia Removals Service

From packing up your home to clearing customs in Australia, we keep the whole process simple and well-organised.

  • Trusted & Accredited - As proud members of the British Trading Standards Approved Code and the British Association of Removers (BAR), professional standards and consumer protection are guaranteed.
  • Safer palletised packing - Items are export-wrapped and palletised for safer handling on long-haul sea freight routes to Australia.
  • Flexible shipping options - Share a container or ship your own, depending on how much you're moving.
  • Faster shipping - Weekly sailings to major ports including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle and Adelaide.
  • Storage included - Complimentary storage in the UK until your scheduled sailing date.
  • Customs & documentation - Help with all import paperwork, quarantine declarations and AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) requirements.
  • Track your move - Know where your belongings are at every stage.
  • Shipment protection - Flexible cover available for added peace of mind.
  • Nationwide collections - Next day collections across the UK. We work around your schedule.
  • Delivery choices - Door-to-door or door-to-port, depending on your plans.
Get A Free Quote Now
After Before

Benefit from our unique safer packing. Every move Down Under is carefully packed and palletised to provide the ultimate protection for your belongings.

Pallet shipping allows us to share containers on exclusive commercial routes so there are no delays in waiting for containers to be filled in the UK. This means, on average arrival times are up to 14 weeks faster than any other mover.

Learn more about our packing process

Get A Free Quote

Your Move to Australia in 4 Simple Steps

No surprises. No confusion. Just a clear route from your doorstep to your new life abroad.

1

Get your quote

Fill out our quick quote form. We’ll confirm details and give you a clear price, with no hidden extras.

Typical time: same day.

2

Professional packing

Our team collects, packs and palletises your belongings for safer handling and protection throughout the journey.

Arrives sealed and secured.

3

Ship with weekly sailings

Once packed, your shipment is booked onto the next scheduled vessel to Australia. Track progress online at any time.

Reliable weekly departures.

4

Customs & delivery

We handle Australia’s customs, biosecurity and import paperwork, and arrange delivery to your final destination.

Stay informed at every step.

How Much Does International Removals to Australia Cost?

Quick Answer

The cost of international removals from the UK to Australia starts from £840 for a shared container service, £4,500 for a 3-bed house and £5,600 for a 4 or 5-bed house. With weekly sailings from London, it will take around 45 days to arrive in Australia.

Moving and Shipping Costs UK to Australia:
Shipment size Cost
Small studio (shared)£840 - £1,000
1-bed flat (shared)£1,750 - £2,000
3-bed house / 20ft£4,500 - £5,000
4-bed house / 40ft£5,000 - £6,500+

The above costs should be used as guide only. Prices shown are port to port freight costs. They do not include UK collection, packing costs or insurance costs. To receive an accurate quote based on your specific moving requirements to Australia simply request a quick quote here.

How Long Does Removals to Australia Take With 1st Move?

Typical Transit Time
45-50 days
Arrive up to 14 weeks faster than other movers
Weekly sailings Safer professional packing Since 1997

A Sailing Time That Suites You, Not Your Mover

Your belongings can arrive in Australia up to 14 weeks sooner because we don’t wait to fill our own containers. We use weekly consolidated services normally only available to commercial exporters, giving you a dependable timetable to all major Australian ports.

Few UK movers offer this level of speed, consistency and control over your moving schedule.

View our latest UK to Australia sailing schedule for vessel names, sailing dates and current transit times.

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Couple reviewing customs paperwork on a laptop
Australia: Customs, Quarantine & Biosecurity

Everything you need to clear your shipment smoothly

Australia’s rules are enforced by Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. We prepare, check and lodge the paperwork with you so your goods clear quickly and without headaches.

1 What paperwork do I need?

We’ll guide you and provide secure upload links. Typically you’ll need:

2 How do I prepare items to avoid quarantine delays?

Clean and dry anything that’s been outdoors or stored in garages to remove soil, seeds or organic matter.

  • Outdoor furniture, garden tools, lawn equipment
  • Bicycles, camping gear, golf clubs, boots and sports kit
  • Vacuum cleaners - remove bags and wipe interior surfaces
  • BBQs and patio heaters - remove ash, grease and residue
  • Timber items - check for dirt or insect traces

Well-prepared items move through quarantine faster and avoid extra fees.

3 Which items are restricted or need permits?

Not allowed:

  • Fresh or frozen food, meat, dairy, fruit
  • Soil, sand, leaves and untreated plant material
  • Firewood, untreated timber offcuts, natural wooden ornaments
  • Straw-filled cushions, mattresses or pet bedding with organic fill

Allowed with permits or extra checks:

  • Outdoor/garden equipment (must be thoroughly cleaned)
  • Certain wooden furniture or carvings depending on treatment
  • Animal-based products like feathers, shells, leather, wool or bone
  • Some medicines and supplements (import limits apply)
  • Sporting and camping gear (free from dirt and plant matter)
  • Tools and machinery with fuel, grease or oil residues

Not sure? Send us a photo and we’ll confirm if it’s allowed, needs cleaning, or requires a permit.

Read our full Australia customs & quarantine guide

Our Reviews for Removals to Australia

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Look for the Badge. We are a BAR registered mover.

As a BAR member, our company has been rigorously vetted and subject to regular audits to ensure we meet their strict quality guidelines when moving personal effects overseas. This includes financial stability, full regulatory compliance, and adhering to the BAR's strict code of practice when dealing with our customers and all aspects of relocating their goods worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions about Removals to Australia

Here are the moving and shipping costs from the UK to Australia.

  • Just boxes and bags: From £420
  • Small house move: From £840
  • 1 bed flat: From £1,780
  • 2 bed flat: From £1,900
  • 3-bedroom house: From £4,450
  • 4-bedroom house: From £5,800
  • 5-bedroom house: From £6,600
  • Sole use 20ft container: From £4,400
  • Sole use 40ft container: From £6,500

These costs are for budget purposes only. The final price of your move to Australia will depend on factors such as how much you are shipping, the value of your belongings (for insurance purposes), your collection and final destination in Australia. Costs depend on the size of your shipment and the required service, so we recommend that you request a quote to receive a tailored estimate.

If you’re taking a smaller amount (anything from a few boxes to the contents of a one- or two-bedroom home) a shared container is usually the most cost-effective choice. You only pay for the space you use, and our palletised packing keeps your belongings protected and easy to handle throughout the journey.

If you’re moving a larger household (typically three bedrooms or more), a full container is likely the better option. You’ll have your own 20ft or 40ft container, quicker departure times, and the reassurance that your shipment remains sealed from collection in the UK to arrival in Australia.

We provide a full door-to-door removals service to every state and territory in Australia. Whether you’re moving to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, or a smaller coastal or inland town, we can arrange safe and reliable delivery to your new home.

Shipments from the UK typically arrive into major Australian ports such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle (Perth), or Adelaide. From there, our trusted agents in Australia transport your belongings from the port to your door, ensuring complete door-to-door coverage wherever you’re relocating.

Yes, we offer a 10% early booking discount if you book your move within 10 days of receiving your quote. No deposit required, and no cancellation fees. Booking your move early means we can plan our packing and transport schedules more efficiently, and we pass these savings on to you.

Reserve your move in less than 60 seconds here to secure your 10% discount.

Yes. Every move to Australia can be covered by our Move Protect cover. It’s designed specifically for international removals and offers protection against any loss or damages in transit.

With Move Protect, you declare the replacement value of your belongings before shipping. That value becomes the basis of your cover, so if anything is lost or damaged in transit, you’re protected throughout packing, shipping, customs clearance and final delivery in Australia.

If you decide not to take Move Protect, your shipment will still travel with limited liability cover, which is capped at £40 per item. Most customers choose Move Protect for full peace of mind when relocating overseas.

Find out more about Move Protect.

When sending household goods to Australia, you’ll need to provide a few key documents to comply with Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) requirements.

We’ll walk you through everything, but to get started, you should have:

These documents allow customs and quarantine officers to assess your shipment and ensure a smooth clearance when it arrives in Australia

For more details on customs rules, quarantine and more, please see our Australia customs guide.

Most people moving to Australia can import their used household goods and personal effects duty-free, provided they’ve owned and used them for at least 12 months before shipping.

This includes furniture, clothing, appliances, books, and other everyday items.

However, some goods may still attract Goods and Services Tax (GST) or import duty in certain situations:

  • Antiques: Usually duty-free, but subject to 10% GST.
  • Commercial or new items: If your shipment contains goods intended for resale or items not previously used, customs duties and GST may apply.
  • Quarantine or inspection fees: Separate from duty or tax, these may be charged by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) if your goods are inspected.M
  • Because customs rules can change, always check the latest guidance on the Australian Border Force website or speak with our team before shipping.

Australia has strict biosecurity laws to protect its unique environment and banning or limiting the import of almost all food and animal products including;

  • Alcohol & tobacco
  • Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables
  • Plants, grains, seeds, nuts
  • Animals and animal food
  • Soil or items with soil attached

The Australia government provides a full list of these items. Please also see our own restricted items for Australia guide and our Australia Customs Guide for more information.

Our trusted partner, Conroy Removals, manages customs clearance and final delivery to your home in Australia. They’ll contact you before arrival to confirm delivery arrangements and assist with any last formalities.

Yes. Once your belongings have been packed, loaded, and assigned to a vessel, we’ll provide you with a tracking reference. This allows you to follow your shipment’s journey to Australia in real time.

You can check progress at any point using our container tracking tool, so you always know where your shipment is and its estimated arrival date.

Extra Info & Resources for Moving to Australia

Aerial view of Sydney Harbour

Guide to Moving to Australia

Everything you need to know from visas, healthcare, education and much more.

US Customs paperwork on a desk

Guide to Australian Customs for Personal Effects

Understanding the customs, quarantine and documentation required to ship personal effects to Australia.

Car being loaded for ocean shipping

Car shipping to Australia

Check out our sister company Autoshippers for UK to Australia car shipping services

Checklist for prohibited goods

Australia Prohibited & Restricted Items

Our comprehensive list of prohibited and restricted items and how to declare.

Other Helpful Information

Visas & Residency

  • Most UK citizens need a visa before travel; type depends on work, family or study plans.
  • Long-stay/permanent visas usually allow duty-free import of used personal effects (if eligible).
  • Processing times can affect move dates - we plan collections and sailings around your approval.
  • Always check official guidance. See our guide to moving to Australia.

Daily Life & Culture

  • English-speaking, outdoorsy lifestyle with a strong café culture and work-life balance.
  • Laws differ by state/territory and can affect delivery access and quarantine rules.
  • UK licences are valid short-term; long-term residents may need a state licence.
  • More details in our driving in Australia guide.

Finance & Banking

  • Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD).
  • Tax is based on residency status; UK ties may still matter for some expats.
  • Many banks let you open an account before arrival; ID and a local address are usually required.
  • See our Australia tax guide for expats.

Healthcare

  • Medicare covers essentials; private health insurance is common for faster access and extras.
  • Eligibility for Medicare depends on your visa; private cover can bridge any waiting period.
  • Bring medical records and prescriptions for a smoother setup after you arrive.
  • Learn more in our guide to the Australian healthcare system.